First phase of Northern Beltline set to begin Monday

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — It’s a project years in the making, and finally, the first phase of it is set to begin. On Monday, ALDOT crews will begin work on the Northern Beltline in Jefferson County.

The first phase will take about two years to complete. Once the entire highway is finished it will stretch 52 miles and connect I-59 in the northern part of the county to I-459 in Bessemer. The Black Warrior River Keeper has fought to stop this project from happening.

The group claims construction would destroy wetlands and endanger the region’s water supply.